Buddies’ 45th anniversary season hits the ground running with speaking of sneaking, a groundwork redux and Buddies co-production in association with Obsidian Theatre. Directed by d’bi.young anitafrika, theatre artist daniel jelani ellis (“Boy” in DM St. Bernard’s The First Stone in Buddies’ 2022-23 season) brings an exhilarating theatrical experience to the Buddies stage: a compelling tale of self-discovery and the pursuit of belonging. Drawing from his Jamaican roots and lived experiences as a Black queer man navigating “Foreign” (Canada), ellis delivers a multidisciplinary performance that combines dance, poetry, and pantomime to create a transformative journey like no other.

“It was in the artistic space of Buddies’ Emerging Creators Unit that speaking of sneaking was first tenderly brooded over for months,” says creator and performer daniel jelani ellis. “With that infant iteration, I was exploring my newly-forming identity as a Canadian — a Black queer Jamaican young man brand-new to Toronto - reconciling new freedoms and transgressions. It is a surreal experience to return to this piece over 10 years later in the very space where those first ideas were incubated.”

Originating in Buddies’ Emerging Creators Unit (2012) and further developed in Why Not Theatre's RISER project (2018), speaking of sneaking has garnered five Dora award nominations, including for outstanding production and outstanding new play.

speaking of sneaking follows the story of Ginnal, who yearns to send a barrel back to his family in Jamaica from his bachelor apartment in Toronto. The play artfully collapses past and present, as Ginnal reminisces about his youth in Yard and his path to Foreign. Guided by the playful and ancient spider Anansi, Ginnal navigates the complexities of Black queer masculinity and wrestles with the fraught potential of leaving one home to find another.

Under the expert direction of d'bi.young anitafrika (11:11, The Emancipation of Ms Lovely), whose Anitafrika method has helped grow the piece since its inception, speaking of sneaking returns to Buddies for its mainstage debut. This with a fully realized production is supported by choreography by Fairy J, set and costume by Rachel Forbes, lighting by Andre Du Toit and sound design by Stephon Smith.

ACCESSIBILITY + SPECIAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Black Out Night - Saturday, September 23 at 7:30pm: Black Out Nights are designed to create an affinity space for Black community members to come together and engage with works by Black artists. The performance on September 23 is an exclusive invitation to Black community members to experience speaking of sneaking together, followed by a talkback with daniel jelani ellis, d’bi.young anitafrika, and Micha Edwards. Advance tickets can be booked online, with PWYC tickets available at the door.

Relaxed performance - Sunday September 24 at 2:00pm: Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome audience members who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including house lights being left on at a low level, more freedom to come and go from the space, and an alternate space to take a break from the show if needed.

Deaf-interpreted performance - Tuesday, September 26 at 7:30pm: This performance will feature ASL interpretation by Deaf interpreter Natasha “Courage” Bacchus.

a groundwork redux and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre production in association with Obsidian Theatre

speaking of sneaking

by daniel jelani ellis

directed by d’bi.young anitafrika

Performance information:

Previews: September 19 + 20

Opening Night: September 21

Closing Performance: October 1

Runs: Tues-Sat 7:30pm, Wed, Sat, Sun 2pm

Tickets: Sliding scale ($10 / $25 / $40 / $70)

buddiesinbadtimes.com